Electric light reflector



Nov. 1, 1938. H, F, HITNER r 2,134,788

ELECTRIC LIGHT REFLECTOR Filed July- 3, 1957 INVENTOR. Hqeerf. H1 TNE BY I ' ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 1, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

The invention relates to an electric light reflector. The reflector is of light sheet metal, preferably aluminum, and is designed primarily for industrial uses, though not limited to such uses.

'5 One of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved reflecting unit of very cheap, simple construction which it is practical to mount directly on the neck of the electric lamp bulb, so that the use of the shade or reflector supporting fixlO tures commonly required is dispensed with and the labor incident to installing the reflector reduced to a minimum. Another object is the provision of a unit of the type specified which is subject to vertical adjustment relative to the 15 light source, in order to secure reflector efliciency,

and which is not subject to rattling or movement incident to vibration from its adjusted position. A further object is the provision of a unit of the type specified which will avoid any tendency to overheat the neck of the light bulb and will, in fact, give a cooling action, this being especially important in large lighting units in which there is often a rapid deterioration in the metal portions of the lamp incident to the high 25 temperature developed when reflectors are employed. A still further object of the invention is the provision of a reflector unit which adds to the safety of the lighting unit in case of collision or in case the unit becomes detached from the sup- 3 port. Certain embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, Where- Figure l is a side elevation of an assembly of the lamp and shade. Fig. 2 is a side elevation 35 of the neck of the unit on an enlarged scale. Fig. 3 is a section on the line III-III of Fig. 2 through the assembly. Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate a modification, Fig. 4 being a side elevation and Fig. 5 an end elevation. And Figs. 6 and 7 are side 40 elevations showing still other shaped reflectors.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3; 8 is an incandescent light bulb or lamp having the neck 9, and I0 is the body of the reflector unit having the neck portion H which frictionally engages 45 the neck of the lamp, as later described.

The reflector is formed of light sheet metal, preferably aluminum, of such small weight that it may be safelycarried by the lamp. As shown, the neck is integral with the body, but for economy in construction, and depending on the size and shape of the unit, such neck may be formed from a separate piece of sheet metal suitably secured to the body.

5 As indicated in Fig. 3, the interior diameter of the reflector neck is somewhat larger than the neck of the lamp, and in order to give a proper frictional engagement, the neck II is provided with a plurality of H slots 12, thus forming a pair of lips l3, 13 at each slot; and such lips are bent in so that they engage the neck of the lamp yieldingly. This yielding grip permits the reflector to be adjusted longitudinally of the lamp within certain limits. This adds to the efilciency of the reflector, when used with lamps in which the neck length varies, and in which it is desirable that the source of illumination should lie at the same elevation with respect to the body of the reflector. The yielding lips hold the relatively light weight reflector securely positioned with respect to the lamp, so that accidental relative movement and rattling are avoided.

The lip engagement of the reflector neck with the lamp, as provided by the H slots, has the further advantage that ventilation along the lamp neck is secured through the spaces M (Fig. 3), so that any tendency to overheat the neck of the lamp incident to the use of the reflector is avoided. As a matter of fact, the lamp neck is cooler when the reflector is used than when it is not used, resulting in a longer life of the lamp. Thus is due in part to the ventilating effect along the passages l4, and in part to the rapid conduction of heat away from the glass neck by the metal lips l3. This cooling effect is particularly important with lamps ranging from 500 to 1000 watts.

The reflector involves a substantial safety factor, as it acts as a guard for the lamp without adding materially to its Weight. In case the lamp becomes detached from its socket and falls, the large area of the reflector reduces the velocity of the movement and gives protection against impact by the lamp.

The reflector may be made in a wide variety of shapes, a few of which are illustrated in Figs. 4 to '7. It will be understood in this connection that the reflector is subject to modification in matters of detail without departing from the invention. For example, the H slots, while forming a desirable means for providing the yielding lip contact with the lamp neck are not an essential detailjsince other forms of pressed-in portions would function similarly and are practicable.

What I claim is:

In combination in a reflector adapted to be supported upon an electric lamp, a flared body portion and a neck in the form of a cylinder both of sheet metal, said neck having an internal diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the neck of the lamp to provide a space for ventilation between the neck of the lamp and the neck of the reflector and provided with spaced gripping means formed from the metal of the neck and extending inward past the inner surface thereof and frictionally and yieldingly engaging the lamp neck for a substantial distance therealong, so as to prevent tilting movement of the reflector with respect to the lamp and at the same time permit an adjustment of the reflector longitudinally of the lamp.

HARRY F. HI'I'NER. 

